AUSTIN, Texas -- A federal report said that Waco's veterans affairs office has denied 90 percent of benefits related to Gulf War Illnesses.
The data from the US Government Accountability Office shows that Waco's Department of Veterans Affairs denied almost 1,100 claims in 2015.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that a lack of a clear definition of Gulf War illnesses has led to issues in processing claims.
The VA estimates about 44 percent of the 700,000 Gulf War service members have developed symptoms that include joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome and neurological problems.
However, just 26 percent of those veterans receive benefits. A VA spokeswoman saif Waco medical examiners are anticipated to complete a 90-minute web-based training course designed to help them better identify the illnesses by November.
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